Last Updated on December 13, 2025
Are you looking for opportunities to study abroad at universities in Japan? Those who are inclined to pay lower fees, as opposed to the high fees of US and UK universities, have options to choose from in East Asia. There are many Japanese universities for international students that impart quality education. And blend into it some amount of history, culture, and technology, and that becomes a complete package to make you a global citizen.
At present, almost 1,532 Indian students study in Japan. And this number is expected to rise further, owing to the stringent policies rolled out by the UK and the US. After several policy changes by the countries in the West, Indian students are exploring places like Japan. In this blog, we will find out the rankings, courses, and admission requirements for international students to study in Japan.
List of Universities In Japan
- University of Tokyo
- Kyoto University
- Tohoku University
- Osaka University
- Institute Of Science Tokyo
- Nagoya University
- Kyushu University
- Keio University
- Waseda University
- Hokkaido University
Let us delve into the top ones here in this blog.
Top Ranking National Universities In Japan For Indian Students
University of Tokyo
The first imperial university to be established, in 2011, the Japanese university was nicknamed Todai. The university has three main campuses – Hongo, Komaba and Kashiwa. The university has ranked high consecutively, and is the place to be for those who have entrepreneurial abilities.
Rankings:
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | 36 |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 26 |
Academic Programs On Offer:
- Medicine
- Law
- Economics
- Education
- Arts
- Sciences
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Engineering
Eligibility For Admission For International Students:
- TOEFL score minimum 90
- IELTS overall score 6.5
- Cambridge English ‘C1 Advanced’
- The student must have completed schooling in an English medium school
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Undergraduate Courses – ¥535,800
- Postgraduate Courses – ¥535,800
- Doctorate – ¥520,800
Kyoto University
Kyoto University is the second-oldest university in Japan. Around 2,000 international learners study at the university. With three campuses spread across the country, it boasts excellent research facilities as well. It houses 10 undergraduate programs and 18 graduate schools.
Rankings:
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | 57 |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 61 |
Academic Programs On Offer:
- Economics
- Agriculture
- Engineering
- Bio studies
- Science
- Management
- Energy Science
Eligibility For Admission For International Students:
- TOEFL score minimum 72
- IELTS overall score 5.5
- The student must have completed schooling in an English medium school
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Undergraduate Courses – ¥535,800
- Postgraduate Courses – ¥535,800 – ¥817,800
- Doctorate – ¥535,800 – ¥817,800
Tohoku University
Listed amongst the top Japanese universities for international students, Tohoku University is the third imperial university in the country. It offers undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, and a doctorate, as well.
Rankings:
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | 109 |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 120 |
Academic Programs On Offer:
- Arts and Humanities
- Economics
- Finance
- Engineering
- Technology
- Life Sciences
- Law
- Psychology
Eligibility For Admission For International Students:
- TOEFL score minimum 79
- IELTS overall score 6.0
- Others: TOEIC, CEFR B2, & IB.
- The student must have completed schooling from an English medium school
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Undergraduate Courses – ¥535,800
- Postgraduate Courses – ¥535,800
Top Private Universities In Japan For International Students
Keio University
It is the first private university in Japan. It has two campuses, and ranks amongst the top universities globally.
Rankings:
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | 188 |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 601-800 |
Academic Programs On Offer:
- Science
- Technology
- Business
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Health Sciences
- Computers
Eligibility For Admission For International Students:
- TOEFL score minimum 80+
- IELTS overall score 6.0+
- The student must have completed 12 years of schooling
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Undergraduate Courses – ¥1,200,000 – ¥1,500,000
- Postgraduate Courses – ¥990,000 – ¥1,500,000
- Doctorate – ¥990,000 – ¥1,500,000
Waseda University
It is counted amongst the top colleges in Japan for international students, with one campus. Find out more about the rankings, popular courses and eligibility here.
Rankings:
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | 196 |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | Not Available Now |
Academic Programs On Offer:
- Arts
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Business Management
- Engineering
- Sports Sciences
- Languages
Eligibility For Admission For International Students:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- TOEFL score minimum 79
- IELTS overall score 6.0
- The student must have completed 12 years of formal schooling
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Undergraduate Courses – ¥1,000,000 to ¥1,300,000
- Postgraduate Courses – ¥875,000 to over ¥1,184,000
Read also: Scholarship in Japan for Indian Students
Emerging Universities Popular with Indians
University of Tsukuba
It is one of the emerging international universities in Japan. Ranked # 510 amongst the global universities, it offers a range of subjects. You can choose to study agricultural sciences, chemistry, computers, engineering, and materials sciences here. It offers a comprehensive educational curriculum for international students. You can also access exchange programs at the university.
- Subjects Offered – Sciences, Sports Science, Medicine
- Language – English Taught Courses
Hiroshima University
Also recognised as one of the upcoming colleges in Japan, it has a strong international focus. You must have a look at the beautiful campus if you happen to travel in the vicinity. The best part is the reasonable tuition fees.
- Subjects Offered – Peace Studies, Engineering, Education
- Language – Comprehensive English courses
Why Choose Admissify?
Choose from the top universities in Japan, to wings to your international education dreams. Selecting the right university and courses will help you to command lucrative salaries globally. Admissify is your one-stop solution provider for information on colleges in Japan for foreigners. Our specialists understand your requirements and sync them with the right university. Moreover, you stand to get complete information on admission intakes, fees, living costs, internships, and more. Although there are no free universities in Japan for international students, we help students apply for scholarships, as per suitability. We also assist students with pre-departure and post-arrival formalities.
Read also: Top Courses in Japan For Indian Students
Conclusion
Choosing to study at the best universities in Japan opens up a whole world of opportunities. It helps in shaping your academic, professional and personal future. However, you need to get proper information and an authentic one at that, as well, to succeed. Admissify provides real-time information, not just about universities, but courses as well. You will also get to know about the rankings that keep changing from year to year, from the best study abroad consultants.
FAQs – Universities In Japan
Japan has around 700-800 universities, with 138 of them ranking globally.
The top universities in Japan are the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Tohoku University.
Yes, they are at par with Western ones. You will be able to access a unique and innovative pedagogy, along with comprehensive courses which combine practical applications.
Yes, Indian students can access MEXT scholarships from the government. Additionally, you can apply for university-specific ones.
The average tuition fee is ¥535,800 annually. However, there is an additional admission fee at the time of admission, and books and stationery costs, as well.
Abhrajita Mondal, is a Content Writer who has dabbled in numerous genres including education since the last five years, and has a deep interest in Holistic Wellness & Lifestyle practices. She is an Ex-HR with over 10 years of corporate experience. For a voracious reader and consumer of information, which finds a way of expression through writing, she does that with elan. Abhrajita loves to travel and is a complete foodie. She has a thirst for the unknown, and loves to read esoteric books.
